In this Customer Spotlight, we introduce Aya Burns—a designer whose deep appreciation for timeless style and quality craftsmanship shapes her every purchase and sartorial philosophy. Aya’s journey began as a young university student in Tokyo, exploring Harajuku’s streets in search of unique, well-made pieces that sparked her enduring passion for style. From her early career as a designer in Japan to launching her own womenswear brand, Colenimo, in London, Aya has consistently championed a commitment to quality and thoughtful design in every endeavour.
Here, Aya shares her style insights, inspirations, and love for pieces that artfully blend heritage with functionality. Her story celebrates the power of fashion to connect people who share a passion for craftsmanship, authenticity, and meaningful design.
CAN YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU PURCHASED? WHAT WAS IT AND WHERE WAS IT BOUGHT?
I remember when I was around 20 or 21 at uni in Tokyo I saved up to buy a pair of English country boots. Acorn coloured leather Chelsea boots with a brogue wingtip toe. I bought them from a tiny shop in Harajuku, they cost what felt like an absolute fortune and I still have them today.
WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST VISIT TO THE SHOP, AND WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
My first visit was actually only a couple of years ago, I loved the shop straight away because it felt like such a personal space. It's got a natural effortless feeling like being in someone's living room, you can tell straight away that it's an independent business. I loved the range too, timeless pieces and a good solid selection.
WHAT ITEM OF CLOTHING COULD YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
I wear my Paraboot Michaels almost every day. My husband bought them for me as a birthday gift a few years ago. Being a designer and shop owner myself I'm often on the run or on my feet for long periods of time so I need something tough, comfortable and stylish.
WHAT IS YOUR NUMBER ONE STYLE TIP FOR THE READERS AT HOME?
It's been said many times before but simply buy quality and wear it to death, quality never goes out of style.
DO YOU HAVE A SARTORIAL HERO?
It's a bit of a personal one, but my sartorial hero is probably the boss of the company where I first worked as a fashion designer in Tokyo. I met him in 1996 and he really helped shape my sense of style. His father had been a shopkeeper and one of the original stockists of the VAN brand in Japan. That classic Japanese take on the Ivy style was inherited by his son and permeated what we all designed and how we dressed.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO ATTEND A CONCERT FROM ANY ARTIST, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU WEAR?
Easy: Bill Evans, in a small bar somewhere, in the early 60s. I listen to Bill Evans so much that it's become a bit of a running joke in our family.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO LAUNCH YOUR OWN STORE?
Making the kind of clothing I do, with an emphasis on materials, it was important for me to have a place where people could come and touch the clothing and actually try it on. There are some things about a physical space that simply cannot be replicated with a digital experience. When you meet people face-to-face who are into clothing it's like you've suddenly found people who speak the same language. I learn so much from speaking with my customers and I hope they can learn something from me too.
WHAT PATH WERE YOU ON BEFORE STARTING YOUR BRAND? WHAT WERE YOU WORKING ON?
I had worked as a fashion designer in Japan for eight years doing both menswear and womenswear. At that time I also had a band and we released a few 7" singles on a small record label that my friend owned. At the age of 29 I decided I'd had enough and moved to London to learn English. It was only meant to be for a year but I ended up making friends and finding a couple of internships doing more high-fashion stuff. It was really exciting at the time, meeting people from different backgrounds and with different skills, very different from Japan. I think that feeling of freedom really gave me the confidence to say "let's give this a go" and start my own thing.
